Instead of a martyr he is a living triumph--are you not, old boy ?" he continued, stroking the silky coat of the animal, who responded with a short low bark of satisfaction.
My curiosity was much excited by these remarks, and I said eagerly: "Will you tell me in what way Leo has been useful to you?
I have a great affection for dogs, and I never tire of hearing stories of their wonderful intelligence." "I will certainly tell you," replied Heliobas.

"To some people the story might appear improbable, but it is perfectly true and at the same time simple of comprehension.

When I was a very young man, younger than Prince Ivan, I absorbed myself in the study of electricity--its wonderful powers, and its various capabilities.

From the consideration of electricity in the different forms by which it is known to civilized Europe, I began to look back through history, to what are ignorantly called 'the dark ages,' but which might more justly be termed the enlightened youth of the world.

I found that the force of electricity was well understood by the ancients--better understood by them, in fact, than it is by the scientists of our day.